Apparatus for securing articles

ABSTRACT

A carrier for checksheets, such as a checkbook binder, having a latch-engaging, dowel-like element extending projectingly from one of the carrier covers and in penetration of the other cover, is slidably received in a portable container. The container comprises a box having only one open end, through which the carrier is inserted thereinto, and the container has a locking mechanism fixed to the inner surface thereof, opposite the open end, which is operative for engaging the dowel-like element to secure the carrier within the container.

1Jited States Patent [1 1 G reene 1 1 APPARATUS FOR SECURING ARTICLES[76] lnventor: Alan D. Greene, 19 Shirlawn Dr.,

Short Hills, NJ. 07078 [22] Filed: May 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 256,754

[52] US. Cl 281/20, 281/19 R, 402/2, 312/222 [51] Int. Cl B42d 3/10,B42d 3/18 [58] Field of Search 281/20, 19 R; 24/2; 402/2; 312/222, 333

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,560 3/1887 Dusenbury...312/222 1,500,713 7/1924 1,126,878 2/1915 2,190,625 2/1940 1,025,7245/1912 1,477,330 12/1923 E11iott 281/19 R 1 Jan. 8, 1974 Deans 281/17FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 270,395 5/1927 Great Britain 281/20Primary ExaminerJerome Schnall Attorney-Bernard .1. Murphy [57] ABSTRACT2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ter of my co-pending U. S. patentapplication, Ser. No.

178,35 l filed Sept. 7, 1971 now abandoned; for a Secure Checkbook, andhas a broader application than that disclosed in my prior applicationfor patent. The instant apparatus has particular use for securingchecksheets, but is not to be construed as limited to such use.

For the purposes of illustration, the instant invention is primarilydescribed in connection with its use for securing Checkbooks. Thus, asexplained in my copending application, there have been no securecheckbooks, heretofore, for the simple reason that stolen checks weredifficult to cash unless the thief would compound the theft with a verycarefully executed forging of an authorized signature. In later years,however, with the advent of the computer and automatic check processing,checks however signed -are automatically processed, i.e., cashed andcleared, before it is known that an unauthorized signature has beeninscribed thereon.

Modern checks have account number indicia printed thereon incomputer-readable numerals and symbols. Accordingly, a stolen checkhaving such indicia thereon is cashed and cleared through to the issuingbank. If the indicated account has sufficient funds to cover the amountdrawn by the check, the computerreader machine will pass the checkthrough. Later, when all checks for a given account are culled together,to accompany a to-be-mailed statement, some member of the bank staffwill manually screen each check to ascertain that each has what appearsto be an authorized signature. At this point in time, unfortunately, theaccount will have been compromised.

Today, then, checks are almost as good as cash. The computer-readableindicia thereon rapidly automates the processing thereof, but thecomputer cannot read signatures and/or make a subjective desicion withrespect to same.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to teach means foravoiding the risk of check theft, or at least rendering the theft ofchecks difficult and requiring that evidence of such theft beunmistakably signalled.

More, it is an object of this invention set forth an apparatus forsecuring checksheets, documents, and like articles, comprising carriermeans for supporting the articles; and portable container means forremovably receiving said carrier means; wherein one of said meanscomprises a latch-engaging element; and the other of said meanscomprises latching means selective operative for effecting a lockingengagement thereof with said element to prevent a removal of saidcarrier means from said container means.

A feature of this invention comprises the use of an articles-carrierhaving a semi-rigidcover, the cover having a dowel-like elementextending projectingly therefrom, and a container for the carrier, thecontainer having access means for slidably receiving the carriertherewithin and locking means for engaging the element to secure thecarrier within the container.

Further objects and features of this invention will become more apparentby reference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of the novel apparatus, in oneembodiment thereof, with a portion of the container cut away forpurposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is an end, elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of an end of the articlescarrier, takenalong section 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the articles-carrier;

FIG. 5 is an illustration, in enlargement, of the latching means of theapparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view ofa portion of one of the articles confined withinthe articles-carrier, the same depicting a portion of a checksheet.

As shown in the figures, the apparatus 10 comprises a portable container12 which is open at one end 14 only. The opposite end 16 of thecontainer 12 mounts therewithin a locking mechanism 18. A key-accessaperture 20 opens on end 16, the same provided for keyoperatedreciprocation of a mechanism latching tongue 22.

Included in the apparatus is a articles-carrier, here shown to be achecksheets binder, or checkbook 24.

The carrier the checkbook 24 has a pair of covers 26 and 26' hinged to aspine within which are confined checksheets 28. Each of the checksheets28 comprises a plurality of checks 30 which are tear-separable, in themanner well known, along linear perforations 32. Each of the checks 30bears computer-readable account number'indicia 34 thereon.

Cover 26 of checkbook 24 has a pocket 36 formed therein for receiving anextending tab 38 of a checksheet set 40.

According to the invention, cover 26 has a dowel-like element 42 fixedthereto, the element extending therefrom perpendicularly and beingreceived in an aperture 44, having a reinforcement 46, which is formedin cover 26'. The latching tongue 22, as suggested by the dashed-linepositioning in FIG. 5, is key-operably reciprocatable from the full-lineposition to the dashed-line position. When the tongue 22 is in thefull-line position, a cove 48 formed therein is set apart from theelement 42; this position accommodates the slidable disposition of thecheckbook 24 fully into the container 12. When the tongue is displacedto the dashed-line position, with the checkbook enclosed in thecontainer 12, the cove 48 envelops the element 42 and securely locks thecheckbook 24 within the container. Clearly, the only way for anunauthorized party to obtain a check 30 would be to break open thecontainer 12. Upon this being done, the owner of the securing apparatus10 has visual evidence that his checkbook 24 has been violated.Accordingly, he can have payment stopped for the missing checks andotherwise protect his account.

When the checkbook 24 is fully charged with checksheets 28, the covers26 and 26 are caused to be spaced apart. Thus, the tongue 22 is free tomove between the covers to engage the element 42. When the checkbook isnearly depleted of checksheets, and the covers would close upon oneanother, the tongue 22 would possibly be obstructed in its movement. Forthis reason, element 42 terminates in a short stub section 50. Section50 has an outside diameter which is slightly smaller than the insidediameter of aperture 44; the remainer of element 42 has a great outsidediameter which will not allow it to pass through the aperture 44.

By this provisioning, the covers 26 and 26' are always held in aspaced-apart relationship giving the tongue 22 a ready access to theelement 42; cover 26' accepts the section 50 therewithin and rests upona shoulder-stop defined between the greater outside diameter of element42 and the smaller outside diameter of the short stub section 50.

It is contemplated that the container 12 would be formed of translucentor transparent plastic material; further, a finger-grip recess 52 isformed in the opposed sides of the open end thereof.

Principally, as noted priorly, the invention is directed toward theteaching of means for securing checks against theft. However, it will beapparent that my novel apparatus lends itself to the securing of variousdocuments and articles. lt remains only to provision a carrier having aprojecting element, such as element 42. for supporting documents and/orother such articles. For instance, in lieu of a checksheet set 40,covers 26 and 26' can enclose and confine blueprints, photographs, orwhatever, therebetween and, in cooperation with container l2 andmechanism 18, secure such against theft.

Accordingly, while I have described my invention in connection with aspecific embodiment thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this isdone only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of myinvention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for securing checksheets, documents, and like sheets,comprising:

carrier means supporting the sheets; and

portable container means for removably receiving said carrier means;wherein one of said means comprises a latch-engaging element; and

the other of said means comprises latching means selectively operativefor effecting a locking engagement thereof with said element to preventa removal of said carrier means from said container means;

said container means comprises a receptacle having spaced-apart wallswhich cooperate to define a repository therebetween;

said carrier means having a pair of semi-rigid covers hingedly joined toa spine, said sheets being confined between said covers;

said latching means is fixed to said container means;

said container means comprises a box open at one end only;

said latching means is substantially enclosed in said box and fixed toan end thereof which is opposite to said one end;

said carrier means is slidably receivable by said box through said oneend thereof with said spine disposed adjacent to and closing said openend of the box to prevent removal of'said sheets when the carrier meansis confined in said box;

said carrier means carries said latch-engaging element for engagementthereof with said latching means, adjacent to said one end of said box,upon said carrier means being slidably confined within said box;

said latch-engaging element comprises a dowel;

said dowel is fixed at one end thereof to one of said covers, andextends perpendicularly therefrom for engagement with the other of saidcovers;

said latching means comprises a lock assembly having a reciprocatableelement for lockingly engaging said dowel intermediate the ends of saiddowel; said dowel having a first outside diameter throughout the greaterportion thereof, and a second outside diameter in a lesser portion, stubsection thereof;

said stub section comprising a thermal end of said dowel which isopposite said fixed, one end of said dowel;

said second outside diameter is smaller than said first outsidediameter;

said other cover has an aperture formed therein, said aperture having adiameter which is larger than said second outside diameter and smallerthan said first outside diameter;

said aperture being so formed in said other cover as to effect alignmentof said aperture with said stub section, upon said hingedly joinedcovers being closed towards one another; and

said first and second outside diameters cooperate to define ashoulder-stop therebetween to cause said covers to be held in aspaced-apart relationship, at least when said carrier means is confinedwithin said box, to insure that said reciprocatable element will have anunobstructed access to an intermediate portion of said dowel.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

one of said covers has pocket means formed therein for releasablyreceiving an insert carrying said sheets therewithin.

1. Apparatus for securing checksheets, documents, and like sheets,comprising: carrier means supporting the sheets; and portable containermeans for removably receiving said carrier means; wherein one of saidmeans comprises a latch-engaging element; and the other of said meanscomprises latching means selectively operative for effecting a lockingengagement thereof with said element to prevent a removal of saidcarrier means from said container means; said container means comprisesa receptacle having spaced-apart walls which cooperate to define arepository therebetween; said carrier means having a pair of semi-rigidcovers hingedly joined to a spine, said sheets being confined betweensaid covers; said latching means is fixed to said container means; saidcontainer means comprises a box open at one end only; said latchingmeans is substantially enclosed in said box and fixed to an end thereofwhich is opposite to said one end; said carrier means is slidablyreceivable by said box through said one end thereof with said spinedisposed adjacent to and closing said open end of the box to preventremoval of said sheets when the carrier means is confined in said box;said carrier means carries said latch-engaging element for engagementthereof with said latching means, adjacent to said one end of said box,upon said carrier means being slidably confined within said box; saidlatch-engaging element comprises a dowel; said dowel is fixed at one endthereof to one of said covers, and extends perpendicularly therefrom forengagement with the other of said covers; said latching means comprisesa lock assembly having a reciprocatable element for lockingly engagingsaid dowel intermediate the ends of said dowel; said dowel having afirst outside diameter throughout the greater portion thereof, and asecond outside diameter in a lesser portion, stub section thereof; saidstub section comprising a thermal end of said dowel which is oppositesaid fixed, one end of said dowel; said second outside diameter issmaller than said first outside diameter; said other cover has anaperture formed therein, said aperture having a diameter which is largerthan said second outside diameter and smaller than said first outsidediameter; said aperture being so formed in said other cover as to effectalignment of said aperture with said stub section, upon said hingedlyjoined covers being closed towards one another; and said first andsecond outside diameterS cooperate to define a shoulder-stoptherebetween to cause said covers to be held in a spaced-apartrelationship, at least when said carrier means is confined within saidbox, to insure that said reciprocatable element will have anunobstructed access to an intermediate portion of said dowel. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: one of said covers has pocketmeans formed therein for releasably receiving an insert carrying saidsheets therewithin.